WEEE--The One That Started It
All.WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
represents the EU Directive 2002/96/EC of January 27, 2003 on
waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

"The purpose of this directive is, as a first
priority, the prevention of Electrical and Electronic
Equipment (WEEE), and in addition, the reuse, recycling and
other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce the
disposal of waste."

Essentially this means, do
not throw waste in a landfill - - reuse or recycle 100% of the
electronic and electrical equipment. Furthermore, the
directive mandates manufacturers (known as 'producers' in the
EU), will finance the reuse and recycling, and meet specific
targets for this reuse or recycling. The directive also
requires products be marked with the "crossed-out wheelie
bin". This mark is actually illustrated in the directive.

The directive compels members of the EU to write and
implement legislation which supports the directive. EU members
had until 8/13/2005 to have this in place, but implementation
of some portions of the directive has been delayed until
1/1/2006. The delayed part is the actual collection and
recycling of WEEE. The original schedule of 8/13/02005 still
holds for producer registration and product marking. Many EU
members are well on schedule to implementation. Hopes and
dreams of this all going away is wishful thinking. In reality,
the environmental movement is shifting into high gear. And
it's not just a European requirement -- China is striving to
meet or beat the Europeans. California has on the books SB20
and SB50 on the books as well, requiring the recycling of EEE
having displays larger than 4 inches. Numerous other state
legislatures are working on their own versions.

We distribute Electrical and Electronic Equipment which
falls within the scope of the WEEE Directive. Just about any
product that uses electrical power to operate - - whether
plug-in or with batteries - - is covered under this directive.
Some of Mouser's inventory includes test equipment, soldering
irons, heat guns, UPS, battery chargers, ESD testing
equipment, solder pots, lighted magnifiers, and others.

At this time Mouser can not directly ship EEE products into the European Union (EU) or the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). We are not registered to distribute EEE in various EU countries and the EEE products that we distribute may not have proper manufacturer labeling to comply with Chinese law. If you are not shipping to the EU or PRC, there is no restriction on ordering EEE products from Mouser. If you are shipping to the EU or PRC and your end product includes EEE products, you will be responsible to comply with the Laws and Regulations of the country to which you are shipping.

2002/96/EC
of January 27, 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain
hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
(RoHS)